In November 2025, Dubai hosted the 27th ICOM General Conference, the first time the world’s largest gathering of museum professionals took place in the Arab region. Centred on the theme ‘The Future of Museums in Rapidly Changing Communities’, the conference brought together global leaders to explore Intangible Heritage, Youth Power, and New Technologies through a week-long programme of discussions, workshops, and exchange.
Dubai Collection was proud to take part in this milestone event, with a presence at the Museum Fair as part of Dubai Culture’s stand, and through a public conversation on the Open Stage. In the session ‘Preservation in the Private Sphere: Patronage as Civic Responsibility’, Benedetta Ghione and Dubai Collection patron Michael Fournie examined the evolving civic role of private collectors and how the Dubai Collection’s model is reshaping ideas around stewardship, accessibility, and shared cultural responsibility. Their discussion underscored the growing contribution of collectors to Dubai’s cultural ecosystem and the importance of collaborative approaches in shaping the future of museums.
